Lane Ranger: Summer driving? Get ready to have a blast

Friday

May 12, 2017 at 6:21 PMMay 12, 2017 at 6:21 PM

This summer, AAA expects to rescue seven million American drivers, with the majority facing battery, lock and tire-related issues, the national auto club reports. This number could soar higher, with a AAA survey revealing that four out of 10 U.S. drivers are unprepared for emergency breakdown situations.

Messenger Post Media

With Mother’s Day this weekend and Memorial Day just two weeks later, the thoughts of summer sojourners are turning to vacation road trips and weekend getaways.

But be forewarned: The roads will be busy — and, at times, treacherous.

This summer, AAA expects to rescue seven million American drivers, with the majority facing battery, lock and tire-related issues, the national auto club reports. This number could soar higher, with a AAA survey revealing that four out of 10 U.S. drivers are unprepared for emergency breakdown situations.

With three-quarters of family travelers planning to travel by car to their favorite vacation spot, AAA reminds drivers to take the necessary precautions to ensure they are well prepared for a safe road trip.

“Summer heat takes a toll on vehicles, causing overheating engines, tire blowouts and dead batteries,” said Cliff Ruud, AAA’s managing director of AAA Automotive. “Having a disabled vehicle is a stressful and dangerous situation, which is why AAA urges drivers to stock an emergency kit, have their battery tested and inspect tires to make certain their cars are in road-ready condition.”

Last summer in New York, AAA answered nearly 300,000 roadside service calls.

The auto club has found that many drivers are unprepared for roadside emergencies. Survey data shows that two-thirds of American drivers have never proactively had their car battery tested, one in five do not know how to change a tire and four in 10 do not carry an emergency kit in their vehicle.

Other findings from AAA’s 2017 roadside assistance data show:

Dead batteries, flat tires and vehicle lockouts are top reasons that members call AAA during the summer.While more than half of members’ problems are resolved at the roadside by AAA, more than 3 million drivers will experience significant vehicle issues this summer that require a tow to a repair facility.With low-profile tires and the elimination of spare tires, many newer vehicles are especially susceptible to roadside trouble.

AAA offers the following tips to help avoid common roadside problems:

Schedule a checkup. Take your vehicle to a trusted repair facility to perform any needed maintenance before heading out. Oil changes, fluid level checks, battery tests and tire inspections go a long way toward reducing the chances of a breakdown.Pack an emergency kit. Every vehicle should be equipped with a well-stocked emergency kit that includes a mobile phone and car charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a basic toolkit with tire pressure gauge and adjustable wrench, windshield washer solution, jumper cables and emergency flares or reflectors, drinking water, extra snacks and food for travelers and pets.Prevent lockouts. Always take keys when exiting the car and bring a spare car key on every trip. Avoid exposing keyless-entry remote or smart keys to water and always replace the key or fob battery when recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

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Ontario County drivers and homeowners should should take precautions at the end of the month, when crews begin spraying herbicide along county highways.

Crews will be applying herbicide between May 29 and June 9 to control vegetation growing under guide rails and around signposts, according to a news release from the town of Canandaigua, which emphasized that no town roads would be sprayed. “Control of vegetation along public highways is necessary to provide motorists with satisfactory visual awareness,” the release stated.

The county’s Public Works Department has hired DeAngelo Brothers LLC to apply the herbicide. People with surface water sources, particularly dug wells within the highway right of way, should contact Public Works at 585-396-4000 before May 24 or DeAngelo Brothers at 888-300-3988, ext. 1202, so the sites can be inspected, the release warns.

Lane Ranger is a weekly column that runs every Saturday in the Daily Messenger exploring answers and solutions to the road problems shared by our readers. If you have questions or observations or just wish to sound off on your commute, send your comments to smccrory@messengerpostmedia.com or call 585-337-4264.